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20mph speed limit will improve road safety
The speed limit on hundreds of roads across North Ayrshire will start to change to 20mph later this month.
A national drive to cut speed limits on certain roads to 20mph was approved back in June when Cabinet met to note the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for 20mph in Urban areas, discuss the proposed change in speed limit and agreed to its implementation.
Transport Scotland, the national agency that delivers the Scottish Government's vision for transport, wants to reduce speeds on suitable roads in villages, towns and cities across the country from the current 30mph limit to 20mph in the coming months.
The driving force behind the change is to improve safety – with evidence showing when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian at 30mph, they are seven times more likely to die than at 20 mph.
Road users in North Ayrshire will see more than 2000 signs installed between now and March 2026 as the council starts to introduce the lower speed limit.
Through Scotland’s National 20mph Strategy, the government’s vision is “Slower today for a safer tomorrow”.
The key reasons for lowering the speed limit are:
- a reduction in the severity of and total number of road collisions
- creating safer spaces for all road users to enjoy
- encouraging a change in the way we travel for those shorter everyday journeys to promote healthier lifestyles and
- improving our communities, by lowering speeds in the places we live and grow.
Statistics for 2022, show there were 2201 casualties on Scottish roads with a speed limit of 30 mph. Of these, 623 people were seriously injured and there were 31 fatalities.
Road users will see the rollout of the first local changes in the Springside area of Irvine – with some 30mph signage expected to switch to 20mph between December 8 and 10.
Other neighbourhoods in Irvine are expected to swap to the lower speed limit between mid-December and mid-January, with other areas following.
Quote: The change to 20mph will be introduced in phases, town by town. The need for lower speed limits on urban roads comes from concerns about road safety. Slower is safer. If you are driving and hit someone at 30mph, they’re seven times more likely to die than at 20mph. The aim is to create safe roads for all users – pedestrians, cyclists, wheelers and motorists – and also to reduce the risk of serious injuries on the rare occasion that an accident happens. The changes will also, hopefully, encourage more residents to walk, cycle and wheel – which is good for our local environment.
Quote from: Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
Across Scotland, each local authority will decide which 30mph roads should become 20mph.
Transport Scotland will fund new signage that is required and is working with councils to ensure the trunk road network running through communities - the A78, A737 and A738 in North Ayrshire - is subject to the same consideration as local roads.
Surveys will be carried out across North to allow the council to gauge its impact.
It has been recognised that any reduction in speed limits may increase bus journey times, making bus travel less appealing.
Therefore, to ensure that there is no negative effect on bus services, bus companies were consulted on the initial plans and changes were made to ensure that main bus routes would continue to operate effectively.
You can see an interactive map here of local roads that are part of the changes.
Published: 03 December 2025